Ignition system.



R. NICCLENATHEN.

IGNmoN SYSTEM.

i APPLICATION FILED FEB. la. |913.

PatentedApr. 3, 1911.

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ZZ Z0 -28 l 35 ZZEB R. IVICCLENATHEN.

IGNITION SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. la. 19|3.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

LIQQI 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- R. MCCLENATHEN.

IGNITION SYSTEM.

y APPLlcMmN H'LED rea. 13. |913.

y Ll 9 Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET s.

. THEN, a citizen of the United States, resid.

made on the broken one.

ROBERT MOCLENATHEN, OF AKRON, OHIO,- ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER CORPORATION, A CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented dpr.. 3,1911..

Application led February 13, 1913. Serial No. 718,132.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, ROBERT MCCLENA- ing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignition Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to ignition systems.

In all ignition systems in which only the magneto is used, the operation of the engine 'is dependent upon the uninterrupted performance of the magneto. If, for any reason, the magneto fails to properly operate, the engine stops and cannot be run again until the magneto is repaired. Again in ignition systems in which only batteriesare used in connection with a coil, the engine would be` rendered inoperative' by a break down in any part of the system. In any system-in which batteries are used in connection with a magneto, .a break down of the magneto puts theengine out of use, and prevents the auto vehicle, in which the engine may be installed, from giving service for a considerable period of time, depending v upon the locality in which the break down occurs, and whether or not repairs can readily be made. In other words, the auto vehicle may be miles .from a place where a new magneto may be obtained or repairs It' is therefore seen that in any ignition system where even both magneto' and battery are used, break-- downs occur in one part of the system which reduces the service vofthe engine or vehicle,

for a given period of time, to a much lower percentage than would otherwise bethe case if the ignition system was able initself to take care of the emergency without any delay. Many engines are equipped with two independent ignition systems so that in case one of the/ignition systems fails the other can be used, but such combination of ignition systems isnot only cumbersome, complicatednand expensive, but requires more care and attention to keep both ignition systems in operating condition.

Itis, therefore, the object of my invention to overcome the above mentioned diiiito culties in connection with ignition systems,

. and to prevent an engine being rendered inoperative due to any failure in the ignition system, and at the same time to provide a compact, simple and eiicient ignition syste'm at a minimum cost.

This object is accomplished by providing an ignition system in which there are a plur..lity of different ways/ of producing the necessary spark without duplicating the -parts ormaking one way.dependent upon the use of parts required to produce the spark in one ofthe other ways.

In this system, which includes a magneto battery, and timers, one of which is removable with and, forms a part of the magneto, all of which are adapted to cqperate with` one vcoil in common, the magneto can be removed from the ignition system and the necessary spark, either single or vibrating, can be produced by means of the battery, a timer, and coil; or one of the timers can be removed and the spark produced by means of the battery current operating through the magneto timer and the coil; or with the A Fig.- 3 is a diagram of connections show- 85 I ing an arrangement in which the necessary spark or sparks are produced by the battery current passingv through a timer and coil;

Fig. 4 is a diagram of connections s howing an arrangementl in which the spark is 90 produced bythe battery current passing through a portion of the magneto and coil;

Fig. is a diagram of connections showing an arrangement in which the spark .1s produced directly by current generated 1n the magneto which passes through the same coil,

- F1g.'6 is an end view of a timer;

Fig. 7 is an end view ofthe breaker box which forms part of the magneto; and,

Fig. 8 is a diagram of connections' similar to. the one shown in Fig. 2, but'being particularly designed to be used where more than two cylinders are employed.

The various novel features of my invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and will be particularly set f'orth in the appended claims.

Like parts will be designated by the same referencefcharacters in all figures of the drawings. v

.My ignition system includes a battery or 1 set of batteries 10, for sake of illustration,

two series of five each being connected in parallel as shown. In Fig. 1 directlyto the right of the set of batteries 10, the same set is shown connected in series, the batteries being changed over to the series arrangement when such batteries or cells are in a comparatively weak condition. A connection 11 from one terminal of the battery taken as ya whole, is grounded Ias indicated at 12, the

other terminal ofthe battery 10 being connected by a .wire 13'to one coil box terminal 14 connected to one end of a primary or low potential coil 15 (see Figs. 2 to 5ggclusive), the other end of the said primary low potential coil 15 terminatingat terminal 15A of the coil box 16, from which a wire 17 leads to one terminal 18 of a timer 19 which, is grounded every revolution ofA the engine by engaging a timer terminal 20 (see Fig. 6) connected byy a wire 21 to the ground terminal 22 of the coil box 16 which in turn is i 'connected by a wire 23 to a round terminal 24 secured to the frame o a magneto 25. This completes a circuit .from the grounded battery 10 through the low potential or primary coil 15, timer 19 and through the ground or metallicjframe of the engine or .vehicle back tothe `battery. By now ref.. ferring-more particularly to Fig..3. of thel drawings, it will be s/een'that a vibrator or interrupter 26 is connected incircuit be-l tween the battery 10 ,and-the low voltage prima coil 15.Y V'The nievable member 27 of the vibrator 26 is'provided with an armature which is-adapted to be attracted by a soft iron core28, located within the coil 15,

when said core becomes magnetized. `'A condenser 29 is connectedaross platlnum contactpoints 30. ofthe vibrator 26 to prevent burning or idesti'iiction of said contact points. superimposed upon the primarylow voltage coil 15,-is a secondary or high V'volta ge coi1'31, theA ends of which are conother.

nected to electrodes or spark plugs 32, which are to be properly located for ignition purposes. Another condenser 33 is connected across the timer 19 to prevent burning of the contact points thereof. When the circuit is completed through the contacts 18 and 20 -of the timer upon each revolution of the engine, current from the battery passes through the primary lowv potential coil 15, causing the core 28 to be magnetized, thus actuating the movable member 27 of the vibrator, making and breaking the circuit at the contact points 30. This repeated interruption at the vibrator contact points of the current through the primary coil 15 induces a series of high voltage impulses through the secondary coil 31 causlng a shower of sparks at the spark plugs.

Thus far the ignition system has been considered from the stand point of producing a spark by current from lthe battery 10, through the vibrator 26, coil 15, and timer `19. The spark is usally produced in this way for starting purposes.

The ignition system will -now be considered from the stand ,point of the battery current passing through the low potential coil 15V and circuit breaker 34 of the magneto 25. This' circuit breaker 34, which a really is a part of the magneto structure forms a second timing device. In this connection particular attention is directed to Figs. 1-2-4-7. It will be particularly noted by referring tof the connection in Fig.

4 that the vibrator 26 is dispensed with and the circuit breaker or timer 34 of the magneto is substituted for the timer 19 shown through the contacts of circuit breaker 34 nog through a spring 38, indicated by a dotted line, to the ground terminal 24 on the magneto frame, back to the other terminal of the'l battery 10. The movable contact 39 tof the circuit breaker 34 is mounted on one end of a lever 40, at the other end of which is adisk 41, which is held in engagement with a rotatable cam 42 mounted on the shaft of `the magneto 25, said disk 41 beingv held against sa1d cam by said spring 38,

which tends to hold the contacts of the cirbreaker in engagement with each During the each other, but when the flat ortionI 43 of Ie that the disk 41 is held in l -engage'lnent with the round portion of the 'cam' 42, the contact points of the circuit breaker 34 are held out of engagement with at the circuit breaker or timer 34 of thel magneto. lin this rlast mentioned arrangevment the battery 10,' timer 19 yand vibrator las ' nannies disk is pressed against said Hat portion by the action of spring 38, causing the contact tips of the circuit breaker 34 to engage with each other, thereby completing a circuit permitting current to pass through the low potential coil 15, thus energizing the soft iron core 28.v As soon as the Adisk reaches the round portion of the cam 42 the contacts of the circuit breaker 34 are separated and the current flowing through the primary coil 15 is interrupted. r1`his interruption of the primary current induces a high voltage current in the secondary circuit 31 which produces the necessary spark at the spark plugs.

A condenser 44 similar to condenser 33 is connected across the contacts of the circuit `breaker 34 to prevent the burning of said contacts. In this arrangement of connections in my ignition system, it is seen that the necessary spark is produced by a current from the battery 10 passing through the same primary coil 15 that was used in the system of connections particularly shown in Fig.3 and that said current passes through the contacts of the circuit breaker 34 of the magneto 25 instead of the timer 19, as shown in Fig. 3. 1t .is therefore apparent that if, for any reason, the'timer 19 should get out of order the `spark could stillV be produced, the circuit being interrupted at the circuit breaker 34.

In the two systems of connections thus it'ar arrangement of connections, capable of being made in my ignition system, current is generated in the magneto and passes through the same primary coil 15 that is used inthe other connections, the circuit being broken 26 are not necessary and are not employed.

lReferring now particularly to Figs. 1-2-5-7, the rotating member 45 of the magneto is provided with a coil 46 in which currentv is generated, one end of said coil being grounded as indicated at 47 and theother end of which is connected through four suitable spring-pressed current-conducting members 48 which are held agalnst a conducting plate 49,-from\ which the current passes through a magnetoterminal 50, through coil box terminal 51, low voltage primary coil 15, coil box terminal 35, conductor 53, magneto terminal 37 through the platinum contact tips `of circuit breaker or timer 34, to the ground terminal 24 on the frame of the magneto, thus completing the circuit. This circuit is'interruptedv atthe circuit breaker 34, producing in like manner the necessary spark at-the Vspark plugs. In this case, however, the current is generated in the magneto itself,this system of connections not including the battery 10, vibrator 26 or timer 19.

It is to be noted in particular that in each one of the systems of connection disclosed' in Figs. 3-4-5 the same primary low voltage coil 15 is common to all connections. If the magneto should be out of order, the same could -be removed and the necessary spark would still be produced by the battery current' passing through coil 15 and timer 19; or if the battery was out of order the same could be discarded and the spark produced by current current passing through the circuit breaker 34; and ii the timer 19 got out of working order the current from either the battery or the magneto could be used in producing the necessary spark, the circuit of the current being made and broken by the circuit breaker 34 of the magneto.

'lhus far no reference has been made to the master or unitary control switch which controls the connections disclosed in Figs. 3-4-5. llt is obvious that various types of switches can be used :tor this purpose. AFor the sake of illustration, I have shown a suitable switch 54, the key or handle 55 of which is shown and indicates the positions of said switch in Figs. 3--4--5 This switch 54 is provided with three movable contacts 56, 57, and 58, which areoperatively connected in any suitable mannerwith the key or operating handle 55.' As shown in Fig. 2, the switch is in 0H' position and no spark is bein produced at the spark plugs. In this odg position of the switch the movable con. tact 56 engages a stationary contact 59, and r the movable contact 57 engages astationary contact 63. No circuit, however, is completed by the engagement `of said contacts. Let it be assumed that itiis desired to start an internal combustion engine. It will therefore be necessary to produce the necessary spark to ignite the explosive mixture in generated in the magneto, the

los

thecombuston chamber of lsaid engine. To

At thel ire 'l bridging stationary contacts 59 and 60 Vand I Imovable contact 58 is moved into engagement with stationary contact 62. With the switch in this position connections, which are illustrated in Fig. 3. are made. Follow ing said connections in Fig. 2 it will be seen -thatcurrent passes from battery 10, through y tionary contacts 60 and 61 stillbeing bridged by movable contact 56, the circuit beingl comj 'pleted for the passage of/.hcurrent generated` v in the magneto from grounded coil 46 there- 65" conductor 13, coil box terminal 14, stationary contact 63, movable contact 57 stationary contact 64, primary low voltage coil 15, stationary contact 60, movable contact 56, stationary contact 59, vibrator 26, coil box terminal A, timer 19, to ground and to the other side of the battery 10, the necessary spark being produced as herein above considered with respect to connections shown in' Fig. 3. In the diagram shown in F ig. 2 and in this particular switch posltlon, it is to beY noted that there is another connection from stationary contact 60,-throughY a button contact switch 66, movable contact 58, stationary contact 62, coil box terminal 22 to ground. 'By closing the push button switch 66 .a circuit will be completed independent of the-timer 19 for producing a spark for starting purposes without cranking the engine. .The condenser 29 in Fig. 2 may be used for protecting both the vibrator`and l the timer 19. If it is desired however, two

y separate and independent condensers may be used for said purposes.

lf for any reason the timer 19 or Vibrator should get out of order or if for any reason it is desired to pass the current through the.

circuit breaker or timer 34 of the magneto instead of the timer 19, the switch may. be moved further in a counter-clockwise direction until the movable contact 56 passes out of engagement with the stationary contact '59 and into engagement-with contact 61,

thus bridging contacts 60 and 61, stationary contacts63 and 64 vbeing still bridged by 5 movable contacts 57 and the circuit will be completed from one side of the battery 10 through conductor 13, coil box terminal 14,

" contacts 63, 57 and 64, primary low voltager coil 15, contacts 60, 56, and 61, coil box ter- Aminal 35, conductor 36, circuitbreaker or timer 34 of the magneto tothe ground and to thel other side of the battery,the neces# y l sary spark being produced as already vcon.

sidered in connection with the diagram shown in Fig. 4, which 'corresponds to this position `of the switch.

If the battery, timer 19, -o r v'vibrator have gotten. out of order or for'any vother reason it is desirable to produce'the sf'rjjarkby current generated in the magnetofthe 'circuit being made and broken through the'circuit breaker 34 of the magneto independent of the battery, vibrator, or timer, the switch may be turned still -further 1n` a counterclockwise direction until the movable c'on- 1 Vtact 57 has passed.v out of 'engagement with' ,the stationary contact 63 and into engagement with stationary contact 65,1ffthereupon bridging stationary contacts v64 andv65, staf of, through coil box terminal 51, contacts 65, 57, and 64, primary coil 15 contacts 60,

56, and 61, coil box terminal 35, conductor 36, and circuit breaker or timer 34 of the magneto to ground. The necessary spai' is thus produced as already considered in connection with the diagram shown in Fig. 5

which corresponds to the position of the switch just hereinabove considered. y The magneto 25 can be driven from any suitable 'source through the proper gears located in the box 69 and a coupling 70. Instead of calling they primary and secondary sparkproducing windings 15 and 31 coils, they might properly be called a transforming or translating device.

From the above it will be seen that the spark can be produced by a current from the battery passing through the vibrator 26, coil I 15, and timer 19; that a spark can be protem. As above considered, if the battery goes wrong the spark can be produced by current generated in the magneto; if the timer gets out of running order, the current can be directed through the circuit breaker of the magneto, whether or not the current is generated in the battery or in the armature coil 'f the magneto; and if the magneto is disabled in any way the spark may be produced through the timer. At the same time only the single translating device with its primary and secondary coils is used in .this ignition system regardless of, the other circuit connections.

The circuits arrangements thus far con- 'sidered are particularly adapted for use in connection with an internal combustion en- -gine having two cylinders. This triple ignition system however can be equally well employed wheremoiethan two engine cylinders are used in which an explosive mixture is ignited. For the sake ofillustration,

I will show the sameignition system as Particular attention -is directed to Fig. y8,

used in connection with four cylinders.

which discloses practically the same circuit connections and Wiring layout as shown in in-Fig. 2 with the exception that in Fig. 8 a

distributer 70, having four stationary con-v tacts 71, 72, 73,`a nd 74 and one movable contact 7 5 are shown,'the same being shown diagrammatically as such distributers in themselves" are old. The 'movable contact cylinders, it is necessary that the movable contact 75 thereof be rotated at half engine speed so that the circuit from the sec- .ondary coil will be connected with the proper cylinder at the right time. In view of the fact that the magneto as here shown runs at engine speed it will be necessary Where four cylinders are used to provide the cam 42 with two flat spots similar to the one 43, said flat spots being diametrically opposite to each other for the purpose of causing'A the circuit at the circuit breaker or timer 34; ofthe magneto to be interrupted twice each revolution of the magneto and engine to produce the proper number of sparks at the right time. Where the timer 19 is`used instead of magneto timer 34 and said timer runs at engine speed, two stationary contacts similar to the contact 18 are necessary in the same manner as considered in connection with the magneto timer. If the timer 19 runs at half engine speed four stationaryv contacts will be necessary. 0r, instead of using four stationary contacts, a reciprocatory contactmember could be used operated by a four point cam, closing the circuit four ltimes during each revolution vof the timer. Of course the distributer, as considered in my system where only one is used is operated independently of the magneto and timers and a removal of the magneto and a timer would not aii'ect its operation.y

Where however two distributers are used one of them may be connected and operated with either the magneto or a timer. ln the case where two distributers are used and it is desired to remove the magneto for repairs the distributer connected therewith being removed at the same time, the engine can still be operated through the agency of the other distributer which is left intact.`

llt is evident that there may be various other modifications and arrangements of my ignition system other than those which ll have herein particularly described' and shown, 'and itis my intention to cover all such modifications and arrangements which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What lf claim asnew isl 1. In an ignition system, the combination of a source of current supply, a coil adapted to receive current therefrom, a plurality of selective timing devices through one of which current always passes when suppliedV to said coil under normal running conditions, and "unitary means including a single switch for .controlling the effectiveness of said timing devices.

2. In an ignition system, the combinanormal running conditions, and a single v switch for controlling the effectiveness of said timing device means.

3. In an ignition system, the combination of a source of current supply, a translating device adapted to receive current therefrom., 'a plurality of timing devices by means of which current supply to said translating device mayl be affected, and a vibrator by means of which the circuit ofthe translating device may ber made and broken as cur rent passes through one of said timing devices.

4. In an' ignition system, the combination of a source of current supply, a translating device adapted to receive. current therefrom, a plurality of timing members by means of which current supply to said translating device may be aected, a vibrator by means of which the circuit of the translating device may be made and broken as current passes through one of said timing members, and means for controlling the eiiectiveness of said timing members.

5. Inan ignition system, the combination of three selective circuits which a current may traverse for producing a spark, a plurality oi? timingl members in said circuits, and means 'for controlling said circuits whereby one timingmember always may be used in .the active circuit during normal operating conditions.

6. In an ignition system, the combination of a translating device adapted to produce a spark, a plurality of sources including a magneto for supplying current to said translating device, a plurality of timing members, one being a part of the lmagneto unit and another mechanically independent thereof, andgsingle means for controlling the supply oi said current from either oit lsaid sources through di'erent ones of y,said

timing members under different circuit connections.

7. In an i 'tion system, the combination of a translatmg device adapted to-produce a spark, a. plurality of sources including a magneto for supplying current to said transsaid timing members I magneto for supplying current to said trans- ,1 ply of current from either of said sources through dierent ones of said timing members.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

ROBERT MGCLENATHEN.

Witnesses:

EDWIN W. Bnousn, CEAS. L. BYRON. 

